LAHORE: Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi has appealed to the Lahorites to play their due role in making the Basant 2026 safe as more and more cases of people falling from rooftops while catching stray kites are being reported.

The home department’s control room has received some 118 Basant-related accidents cases, including six casualties, during the first two days of the festival till filing of this report. The six casualties included four incidents of falling from rooftops and one each when young boys tried to climb an electric pole and a tree to catch kites. About 112 injuries occurred due to twine.

In a video message released on Saturday, Dr Qazi said the government was taking measures to ensure that the three-day Basant be celebrated with complete safety. He said, police, traffic police, district administration, Rescue 1122, health and all relevant departments were actively performing their duties.

“The government has ensured implementation of all safety measures and protocols, including installation of safety rods on all motorcycles,” he added.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2026